Landscapes by Li Liufang, hanging scroll; ink and wash on paper; Ming Dynasty

Li Liufang was a poet, calligrapher and painter of the Ming Dynasty. He was born in a family of government officials in the late Ming Dynasty, and passed the provincial imperial examination in the 34th year of Wanli Reign. However, the imperial government at that point was under control of the treacherous official Wei Zhongxian. Li Liufang thus gave up his official career, went back to his hometown and focused on poetic, calligraphic and artistic creation. 

Dong Qichang highly valued Li Liufang's paintings, “his works will be as imperishable as himself”. This ink painting scroll of Landscapes represents high, steep mountains, desolate, bleak woods, layers upon layers of houses, and chilly ponds. The strokes are powerful and refreshing. The ink is incisively applied, providing the work with profound spirit, vividness and impressive forcefulness. 

For appreciating literati paintings, it is necessary to view their application of ink and comprehend their spirit, mind and soul. Li Liufang's high-toned chastity and characters have been reflected in this painting, which is provided with the demeanor of indifference. Poet Lin Dazhong of the Qing Dynasty once granted Li Liufang with an extremely high evaluation: 

"Calming and serene are his essays and poems, graceful and refreshing are his paintings."